Abstract
The metalliferous sediment deposits of the Atlantis II Deep in the Red Sea are an example of submarine hydrothermal deposits at a spreading centre. The brine salinities (∼270% for the Atlantis II Lower Brine) originate from leaching of the Miocene evaporites. The mantle is considered as a possible source of metal by analogy with East Pacific Rise deposits. During the 'Hydrotherm' cruise (May, 1985) on RV Marion Dufresne, two cores, numbered 683 and 684 were collected from the SW and W basins respectively of the Atlantis II Deep (Fig. 1). These two cores reached the basaltic basement and therefore allowed full and representative sampling of the metalliferous sediment series, as well as of the underlying basalt. Our lead isotope results suggest that the metals in the sediments are not derived from a basaltic source. We show that lead in the metalliferous sediments was derived both from the Recent biogenic-terrigenous sediments and another unknown sedimentary source. The variations in the lead isotopic composition of Atlantis II Deep sediments suggest a discontinuous brine supply.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
